Chico, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential limit
- 4 signs, 4 sq ft each
- Display period
- up to 120 days/year
- Height in setback
- 3 ft max
- Height outside setback
- 6 ft max
- Permit
- exempt if within limits
Summary
Chico caps noncommercial (including political) signs on residential property at four, four square feet each, displayed up to 120 days a year.
Temporary Noncommercial Signs. Temporary signs with noncommercial messages may be displayed on private property, with the property owner's permission... On residential property, up to four single-faced or double-faced signs not exceeding four square feet of surface area per sign face may be displayed for up to 120 days in any calendar year. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum of three feet in height if located in any required setback... or six feet in height if located outside any required setback or sight distance area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico exempts noncommercial signs, including political and election signs, from sign permits but still limits them: on residential property, up to four single- or double-faced signs, each no larger than four square feet per face, may go up for a maximum of 120 days in any calendar year. Height is capped at three feet within a required setback or sight-distance area, six feet elsewhere. Nonresidential property gets an unlimited number of signs up to 32 square feet per face under the same day and height limits. The rule is content-neutral, it applies to any noncommercial message, not just campaign signs.
Violations & Fines
Sign Exempt from permit but must meet these size/duration/height limits; the Development Services Department can require removal of noncompliant signs, and repeat or large-scale violations can be cited as a municipal code infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a political yard sign in Chico?
How many political signs can I put on my Chico property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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